Author Archives: Sharon

About Sharon

Like anyone who lives long enough, I have experienced great loss and survived. I am convinced that my survival depends on my own participation in creating the reality I am living in, and I am determined to be a thoughtful and active participant/creator. These writings are my way of documenting that creation. As the song goes, "I will survive!" I chose the title Staying Vertical because I find that surviving isn't just staying on my feet physically. Keeping my thoughts and emotions on the vertical plane keeps me alive and moving forward. Thanks for joining me!

Home Again

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Sharon

Wondrous morning is an apt description. I awoke the first time a little before five and the sky over the Absorakas showed a deep orange band at the horizon. As the orange band grew wider and softer, the blue grew … Continue reading →

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Ambiguous

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Sharon

It’s not at all  neat and clean black and white this or that.  It’s permeable.  scary  for you  who want things neat clearly defined silly legislation simple insecurity fear of ambiguity disorganization  diversity  humanity Reality.

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Yellowstone #21

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Sharon

Somehow, I thought I’d have written this months ago. But the words never came. The thoughts came and went. By the hundreds. How do I talk about leaving, and how hard it was that final day in Gardiner in early … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #20

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Sharon

It’s Monday. My ninth Monday in Yellowstone. Next Monday morning, the tenth Monday, I’ll be having breakfast with my friends and coworkers, turning in all of the company issued materials, and breaking camp. It’s really almost over for the year. … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #19

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Sharon

Friday. Autumn is knocking on the door here in Yellowstone. Yesterday a friend and I drove down to Leeks Marina in Grand Teton NP for pizza, beer, and conversation. The drive took us by Lewis Lake and Lewis Falls and … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #18

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Sharon

Another swing shift today: 1:30-10. I hate swing shifts. I have always hated swing shifts. It’s not because they are boring. When I was working in an Air Force Surveillance and Warning Center, swing shifts could be when the most … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #17

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Sharon

Sunday. The smoke was better this morning. The rising sun was a deep orange, instead of red, contrasting brilliantly against a sky that was still gray and the still darker gray of the calm lake waters. This morning The Lake … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #16

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Sharon

Some of you older folks may remember a song from 1966 about the morning sun rising like a red rubber ball? This morning’s sunrise was just like that, accompanied by the acrid smell and taste of smoke from forest fires. … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #15

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Sharon

This morning, I opened a cupboard to get a cup and the door didn’t swing back and hit me in the head. I placed an egg on the counter and it didn’t roll away from me. [I’m not a complete … Continue reading →

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Notes from Yellowstone #14

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Sharon

Tuesday. Unsettled. The feeling has dominated the day. Tomorrow is my last day of the work week. I’m glad for that, but melancholic over the passage of time and the distance between me and the people I love the most. … Continue reading →

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